Bits

ABSTRACT

A BIT FOR ANIMALS IS PROVIDED WITH A MOUTH-PIECE HAVING RIGID END PORTIONS CONNECTED TOGETHER FOR RESTRICTED RELATIVE ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT, AND A RESILIENT RESTORING MEANS WHICH URGES THE END MEMBERS TO ASSUME A PREDETERMINED ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP. THE RELATIVE DEFLECTION OF THE END   MEMBERS MAY BE RESTRICTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO A SINGLE PLANE, OR TO A PREDETERMINED RANGE OF ANGULAR DEFLECTION.

Nov. 30, 1971 W, T, STONE ETAL BITS Filed Dec. 18, 1969 lll H @L 42 l5la7/1v (ft `Xd.

mg 25 l5 United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 54-8 13 Claims ABSTRACT F THEDISCLOSURE A bit for animals is provided with a mouth-piece having rigidend portions connected together for restricted relative angulardisplacement, and a resilient restoring means which urges the endmembers to assume a predetermined angular relationship. The relativedeflection of the end members may be restricted substantially to asingle plane, or to a predetermined range of angular deflection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This inventionrelates to bits for use in riding or driving horses or other animals,and of the kind having an elongated bar-like mouth-piece for placing inthe mouth of the animal, and attachment means at opposite ends forattaching a bridle to the bit.

(2) Description of the prior art `Conventional forms of bit at presentin use fall broadly into three types In the rst of these the mouth-pieceis of rigid form throughout its length. In the second typethemouth-piece is formed of two portions which are pivotally connectedtogether in the mid region of the mouth-piece for movement about apivotal axis, that is to `say in a single plane. In the third type, themouth-piece is formed of a length of rubber, `and is thus capable ofelastic bending or deflection in a plurality of modes.

These `are various disadvantages in each of these three types ofconventional mouth-piece. In particular, a bit with a rigid mouth-piecewhen utilized by an inexperienced rider or driver can cause pain or eveninjury to the mouth of the animal, because it is incapable of undergoingany bending or deflection to absorb any violent, possibly inadvertent,pull at one end, or at both ends by the bridle.

The Isecond type of bit when subjected to a pull at both ends can exerta squeezing or nut-cracker action on the horses mouth, and again canlead to pain or injury, especially when used by an inexperienced rideror driver. The third type of bit provides an undesirable degree offreedom as to the form into which the mouth-piece can be bent ordeflected, and control of the animals action intended to be exercised bythe rider or driver can be impaired as a result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is toprovide a new or improved form of bit which is better adapted to meetthe requirements of use than those hitherto available and in particularis intended to be advantageous to the unskillful or inexperienced rider,in that it will avoid or minimize risk of pain or injury to the animalsmouth, whilst allowing the rider or driver to maintain satisfactorycontrol over the actions of the animal.

According to the invention, we provide a bit for animals which comprisesan alongated mouth-piece provided at opposite ends with respectiveattachment means for 3,623,294 Patented Nov. 30, 1971 ICC attaching abridle thereto, wherein the mouth-piece includes end portions of rigidform having respective lony gitudinally extending reference axes, meansfor ilexibly connecting said end portions together at their inner ends,means for limiting relative angular displacement of said end portions toa predetermined range of angular relation of said reference axes whichextends from .a co-linear relation to an obtuse angled relation, andmeans engaged with both of said end portions for defining a datumposition in which said reference axe-s have a predetermined angularrelation within said range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION iOF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be describedby way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a view infront elevation of a bit according to the invention,a helical spring and a flexible cover being shown in disasembledrelation to the remainder of the bit for clarity,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bit shown in FIG. 17 the iiexible coverbeing omitted for clarity and the end portions being shown at the limitof a predetermined range of relative angular displacement,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a second embodimentof the invention, only a central portion of the bit being shown,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a third embodiment, only a centralportion of the bit being shown, and the helical `spring being omitted,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a fourth embodiment, only a centralportion of the bit being shown and the helical spring being omitted,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a fifth embodiment, only a centralportion of the bit being shown and the helical spring being omitted, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of a sixth embodiment, only a centralportion of the bit being shown and the helical spring being omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION lReferring firstly to the first embodiment which isshown in FIGS. l and 2, the bit comprises an elongated mouthpieceindicated generally at 10, and provided at opposite ends with respectiveattachment means in the form of ring-s 11 to which loops at the end of abridle may be attached Each of the rings is mounted for swivellingmovement about a vertical axis, as seen in FIG. l,`in a boss 12 at theadjacent end of the mouth-piece. The boss may thus include a verticalbore through which extends a spindle portion integral with the ringconcerned, the latter being of enlarged diameter at opposite ends of thespindle portion to provide shoulders or abutments engaging opposite endsof the boss 12.

The mouth-piece includes two identical end portions 13. Each of theseend portions incorporates a rod-like section 14 which may be of circularor approximately circular ishape in cross section integrally connectedto the associated boss 12, and of arcuate form presenting the concaveside rearwardly, that is to say towards the mouth of the horse or otheranimal in which the bit is to be used.

At their inner ends, the end portions 13 are formed with spigots 15 ofreduced radius in comparison with the rodlike portion 14, preferably byan amount equal to the radial thickness of a coil spring hereinaftermentioned. The inner extremities of the spigots 15 are cut away toprovide at plate-like lugs 16. The lugs 16 are apertured and areflexibly connected together by means in the form of a link elementconsisting of two plate-like members 17 disposed above and below thelugs 16 respectively and pivotally secured thereto by rivets or otherpin-like elements 18 extending through the link members, and through theapertures of the lugs. A particularly suitable form of link element isconstituted by a link of bicycle chain.

Enveloping the spig-ots 15 and the link element is a helically coiledcompression spring 19, which preferably has a cross sectional profilesubstantially matching the cross sectional prolile presented by therod-like sections 14 of the end portions, so that the outer surface ofthe spring 19 is ilush, or approximately flush with the outer surfacesof the rod-like sectoins 14.

The natural length of the spring 19 is greater than the distance betweenabutment faces 20 presented inwardly by the end portions 13 at the innerends of the rod like sections 14. Thus, the spring is subjected to axialcompression when in assembled relation with the end portions. The lengthof the spring 419 when in a fully compressed condition is slightly lessthan the distance which separates the abutment faces 20 when the latterare parallel to one another, as shown in FIG. l.

The spigots 15, lugs 16, and link element provide an articulatedconnection between the end portions 13 which permits of relativearticulation thereof in a lirst plane parallel to that in which thelongitudinally extending axes of the end porions, 26 and 27respectively, lie. When in use, this plane will normally be inclined t-othe horizontal according to the attitude presented by the mouth of thehorse or other animal, and will be generally at right angles to theswivelling axis presented by the bosses 12 for the spindles of the rings11.

The mouth-piece further includes an outer covering in the form of anouter sleeve 28 of a material which is tough and flexible, preferablyresiliently so, such as rubber or nylon. This outer sleeve covers atleast the spring 19, and preferably also covers the rod-like sections14.

The spring 19 acts to limit the relative angular displacement of the endportions 13 to a predetermined range of angular relation of theirrespective reference axes 26 and 27 which extends from a co-linearrelation to an obtuse angled relation. The range of permitted angulardisplacement is selected to provide that the end portions cannot bedeflected sufciently to inllict pain on, or cause injury to, an animalwith which the bit is to be used by a nut-cracker action.

The length of the spring 19 when in ya fully compressed condition isequal to the distance which separates the closest respective portions ofsaid inwardly presented abutment faces 20, when the end portions aredisplaced to the limit of this predetermined range of relative angulardisplacement. Relative angular displacement of the end prtions causesthe mouth-piece as a whole to assume a curved form and portions of theabutment faces 20 which are disposed at the inner side of such curveapproach one another.

As the limit of the permitted range of angular displacement, theindividual coils of the spring 19 abut one another at the inner side ofsuch curve and the ends of the spring abut respective ones of theabutment faces 20. It will be noted that the spigots 15, lugs 16 andlink element provide an inextensible connection so that angulardisplacement of the end portions beyond the limits of the predeterminedrange is prevented.

The spring 19 also acts to define a datum position of the end portions.The strength of the spring is such that by engagement with the abutmentfaces 20 and possibly supplemented by engagement with the spigots itwill restore the end portions 13 to a datum position relative to oneanother when no pull is exerted by the bridle on the rings 11. In thisdatum position the axes 26 and 27 of the end portions have apredetermined angular relation which is preferably an obtuse angledrelation. However the relation Iof these axes in the datum position maybe any convenient angle within a range from a colinear relation to anobtuse angled relation.

The spring 19 may be arranged in an alternative manner to act upon theend portions to deiine a datum position thereof. Thus the spring may litclosely over the spigots 15 4 and the adjacent coils thereof may becontiguous with one another. Simultaneous engagement of the spring withboth of the abutment faces 20 would occur only at the limit of thepredetermined range of angular `displacement of the end portions 13.

The restoring force would be applied by the spring 19 to the spigots 15instead of to the abutment faces 20.

It will be noted that the form of the lugs 16 and the link element issuch that relative angular displacement of the end portions in a secondplane which extends generally lengthwise of the mouthpiece, butperpendicularly of said first plane is substantially prevented.

Referring now to the alternative constructions illustrated in FIGS. 3 to6, components corresponding to those already described are designated bylike numerals of reference and the preceding description is to be deemedto apply.

Thus, it will be noted that each of these further embodiments includes amouth-piece having end portions with rod-like sections 14 flexiblyconnected together at their inner ends. Each embodiment further includesa helically coiled spring 19 which encloses the means connecting the endportions and engages respective abutment faces 20 on the end portions.Each embodiment may further include an outer covering as describedrelative t-o the first embodiment.

lEach of the second, third and fourth embodiments, which are illustratedin FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 respectively, further includes spigots 15a, 15b and15c respectively, which extend from the inner ends of the rod-likesections 14 and are apertured at their free ends. In the secondembodiment the spigots 15a are interconnected by a pair of the ring-likelinks 21, each link passing through the aperture in a respective one ofthe spigots and also through the other link. This arrangementintrinsically provides freedom for relative movement of the end portionsin any direction. Limitation of the amount of such displacement isachieved by virtue of the fact that the two spigots and the links 21form an inextensible connection, whilst the spring 19 can act in themanner previously described to limit the approach of the closestportions of the abutment faces 20.

In the third embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 4, the aperturedspigots 15b are coupled directly to one another, a terminal portion 22of each spigot 15a passing through the aperture formed in the otherspigot. This form of ilexible connecting means also intrinsicallyprovides freedom for relative angular displacement of the end portionsin any direction.

In the fourth embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the spigots 15e arecoupled by a single plate-like link 23, this form of flexible connectingmeans also provides for relative angular displacement of the endportions in all directions. Such deflection is limited to apredetermined range by the spring 19 co-acting with the abutment faces20 as previously described.

In the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 the means for flexibilityconnecting the end portions is formed by a plurality of links which areconnected with one another by a plurality of parallel rivets or otherpin-like elements. The spigots 15d are slotted to receive single platelinks 24 which in turn are connected by a double plate link 25. As isthe case in the first embodiment, these links provide freedom forarticulation of the end portions in a first plane extending generallylengthwise of the mouthpiece, but substantially prevent relative angulardisplacement of the end portions in a second plane extending generallylengthwise of the mouthpiece, but perpendicularly of said first plane.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated a modification of the first embodiment,wherein the spigots 16e have inwardly presented opposed end faces whichare spaced slightly apart. The link element which consist of linkmembers 17 disposed one above and one below the lugs 16e, and pivotallysecured thereto, acts effectively along a line within the peripheralboundaries of said end faces. Since the link element is inextensible,the end faces abut at one side of said line when the end portions aredisplaced angularly relative to one another. The end faces thus act tlimit the relative angular displacement of the end portions and thespacing between the end faces is selected to provide for a predeterminedrange of angular dlsplacement such that pain or injury cannot be causedby the bit to the horse or other animal by a nut-cracker action asaforementioned.

It will be appreciated that in the constructions illustrated in FIGS. 1,2, 6 and 7, some slight degree of relative angular displacement of theend portions in said second plane will be possible due to clearances andtolerances in the pivotal connections between the links and the spigots.

We claim:

1. In a bit for animals, which comprises an elongated mouth-pieceprovided at opposite ends with respective attachment means for attachinga bridle thereto, the improvement wherein the mouth-piece includes:

(a) end portions of rigid form having respective longitudinallyextending reference axes,

(b) means for flexibly connecting said end portions together at theirinner ends, providing for relative angular displacement of the endportions,

(c) means co-operative with both said end portions for setting same in adatum position in which said reference axes have a predetermined angularrelation in a range bounded by a co-linear relation and an 0btuse angledrelation,

(d) means for limiting said relative angular displacement of said endportions from said datumposition to a value such that the included anglebetween the reference axes is always obtuse.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein `said means for ilexiblyconnecting said end portions is in the form of articulation means forproviding freedom for relative angular displacement of said end portionsin a rst plane which extends generally length wise of the mouth-pieceand for substantially preventing their relative angular displacement ina second plane also extending generally length wise of the mouth-piece,but perpendicularly of said first plane.

3. The improvements according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said means for flexibly connecting said end portions isinextensible,

(b) said means for defining a datum position is in the form of a helicalspring disposed about the means for connecting the end portionstogether,

(c) said end portions are formed with inwardly presented abutment facesengageable by respective ends of the helical spring and (d) the lengthof said spring when in a fully compressed condition is equal to thedistance which separates closest respective portions of said inwardlypresented abutment faces when the end portions are displaced to thelimit of said predetermined range of relative angular displacement.

4. The improvement according to claim 3 wherein the helical compressionspring has a cross sectional profile substantially matching the crosssectional prole presented by the rigid end portions at respectivepositions adjacent the ends of the spring.

S. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the mouth-piece furthercomprises an outer cover of tough flexible material which encloses atleast said means for defining a datum position.

6. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein when the end portionsoccupy said datum position:

(a) said axes intersect'at an obtuse angle, and

(b) said axes both lie in said rst plane.

7. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said end portions have spaced inwardly presented opposed end faces,

(b) said means for flexibly connecting said end portions acts along aline within the peripheral boundaries of said end faces, and isinextensible, and

(c) the spacing between said end faces is such that the faces abut atone side of said line when the end portions are displaced to the limitof said predetermined range of relative angular displacement, said endfaces thereby acting as said means for limiting such relative angulardisplacement.

8. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means for flexiblyconnecting said end portions provides freedom for relative angularmovement of the end portions in all directions.

9. The improvement according to claim 8 wherein the means for flexiblyconnecting the end portions includes rigid spigots provided on therespective inner ends of said end portions and having respectiveapertures at their free ends.

10. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein the spigots are coupleddirectly to each other.

11. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein the spigots are coupledtogether by a single link.

12. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein the spigots are coupledby a plurality of links.

13. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the mouth-piece is anelongate and generally rod-like structure having dimensions transverseto its length which remain substantially unchanged throughout saidrelative angular displacement of the end portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 804,700 11/ 1905 Bethe 54-71,368,704 2/ 1921 De La Mota 54--8 774,097 11/ 1904 Melleby 54-71,476,999 12/ 1923 Oelkers 54-7 1,632,589 6/ 1927 Bristol 54-7 HUGH R.CHAMBLEE, Primary Examiner

